While there are varying levels of stress in any type of relationship, studies have found that the parents of children with autism can often have elevated stress due to their child’s disability. A study done by Patricia A. Rao of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Deborah C. Beidel of the University of Central Florida, shows results of these parents having higher levels of stress that is linked to their child. The study was performed using surveys and questionnaires given to families, 15 as a control group and 15 that had children with autism. The researchers studied answers about many different parts of these families’ lives. With the level of parent stress this end was reached, “On the Parenting Stress Index, there was a significant between group difference in total parenting stress, with the [autism] group scoring significantly higher than the parents of normal controls” (Biedel, Rao 443). These different parents identified things such as demandingness, hyperactivity, need for a …show more content…
In another study, research was focused on how the family’s choices, social life, and other activities are affected by that fact that one of their children has autism. This study was performed through 9 families who all had a boy with autism, and these participants provided information through interviews and information about their family life. Some parents along with teachers and other specialists came up for the routine while others allowed their child to be a decision maker in what they wanted. In both cases, it seemed to be a fifty-fifty chance of it being a total success or needing more work. Once a routine was found successful, it became an integrated part of the family life. Parents had other siblings become part of the routines and moved things around in their own lives to help the child have better success
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. For grown-ups, an autism diagnosis may get alleviation terms of a clarification for their long lasting battles, for parents, the principal months in the wake of discovering that their youngster has a formative issue can be enthusiastic, confounding and testing. A kid 's autism diagnosis influences each individual from the family in various ways. Guardians/parental figures should now put their essential concentrate on helping their kid with ASD, which may put weight on their marriage, other
There is no doubt that raising a child with autism is challenging. There is endless research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but a very limited amount on the costs and benefits of caring for a person with the disorder. In order to gain a comprehensive perspective on the biggest challenges parents and caregivers of autistic children face, a look into the private lives of these families and close networks is necessary. The only way to give support and provide the much needed services required to help, one must ask them what the most difficult parts about managing autism are. Below examines three of the most common struggles these families face when trying to understand and help their autistic children develop into the capable people they are certainly able of becoming.
Having a child given a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a very stressful event for parents. It is imperative to understand that there is much that can be done for both parent and the child. From the current literature we know that parents of children diagnosed with autism worry about many things like lifetime dependency to family dissonance. We know that these parents are distressed and angry, the parents of children with more unusual behaviors feel a lot more stressed than the parents of children with fewer unusual behaviors. However, having a strategy to approach it correctly and to get the best possible help for your child is probably the most important step, one can take to relieve stress and to aid the child’s development.
Every single day is a struggle for an autistic child and his or her family. Autism affects all aspects of a child’s life from their ability to show affection to their family to being able to do simple tasks such as communicating and thinking in ways that we take for granted. Autism is defined as a developmental disability in which children experience abnormalities in social functioning, language, often act in puzzling ways, and usually appears before the age of three (Mash &Wolfe, 2010). Although the exact causes of autism are unknown there does seem to be a strong genetic component. Having a child or family member with autism is a constant battle of emotion and frustration. Everyone wants to help the people they love when they have
A pilot study by McLeod (1999) over three years, with a sample of eight adults, using case studies and both qualitative and quantitative methods of research (including questionnaires, interviews and follow-up) described parents of individuals on the Autism spectrum, as ‘the
This hardships and struggles were focused on their child’s tantrums that are present in the condition ASD and how they cope up with it. Participants also described having to make lifestyle transitions in their life. One lifestyle transitions affected their careers for them to focus more in taking care of their child. Family activities and relationships with their non-affected children was also affected being involved in a child with autism. It was shown in the study how autism spectrum disorder give an impact in the primary caregivers’ life and his/her family. The findings suggest that professionals need to engage more with families when conveying a diagnosis of autism, particularly with families that is financially unstable. Thus, the findings suggest that there is a need to inform the future families who may experience the involved responsibilities of having an autistic child.This study gave several recommendations to three particular subjects the Families /Primary Caregivers, Government and the Community. All these subjects are selected for the enlightenment of this topic which is autism spectrum disorder(ASD). The findings from this study therefore provide hope and encouragement for parents of children with autism in particular, but also for parents raising children with intellectual disabilities
Autism is a very complicated and diverse disorder. There’s many different variations of it and it can affect a lot of things. The movie did a good job at describing autism and how it affects the family as well. Many times the burden of taking care of the person falls on the family. Arnie had mostly mental disabilities. He had a mindset of a 5 year old, he even liked to play games. Autism is a fairly common disorder and 1% of the world population has autism (“Facts and Statistics”, 2015). It’s a disorder that people should learn more about and get training if around an autistic person. It may be overwhelming, as it was for Gilbert at times. Arnie was always happy and he didn’t have a care in the world.
Autism can affect a person in many different ways. This will not only affect that one person but the whole entire family will be affect.What is Autism is a question that you will hear a lot, Many people do not understand what autism is.
The author argues that a positive experiences of parents raising school-aged children with autism within the context of parenting stress. The author uses a piece of evidence to support this claim. First, when having a flexible or a planned schedule it make caring for the autistic child easy for all. Next, having everyone do their part relieves stress on parent and caregivers. Finally, having a routine schedule can take a huge change in the family.
A lot of people don’t realize the challenges of living with a child who has been diagnose with Autism can be. It is a twenty-four-hour seven day a week job no vacation, no sick time and no pay. From the time the child is diagnosed it is a constant worry especially if the parents don’t know much about the condition. It starts with continuous Doctor visits, social services, and therapy sessions, just to figure out how serious the condition may be and what level of the disability the child has and this is only this beginning. Next, to find the tools the child needs to overcome the disability, like learning development and cognitive process, social skills, comprehension capabilities, and many more depending on the severity of autism.
The literature review explores the issues and challenges of parents of children diagnosed with autism, challenges such as accepting the diagnosis, lack of social and family support, guilt, judgment, and coping with the child’s autistic behavior. The studies indicate that there is a connection between the parent’s psychological distress, such as depression and stress, and parenting a child with autism. A big part of the battle parents are facing depends on their self-acceptance, feeling of judgment by society, and the child’s level of behavioral problems. Many of the studies also explore different types of coping mechanisms of parents of children with autism and suggest different solutions and interventions to assist the parents.
Family plays an important role in the environment and development of a child with autism. This study suggests that family with a child with autism must make significant adjustments to cope and function adequately. Previous studies have focused on the effects family have on the child, but few have focused on the effects the child have on the family. Furthermore, the majority of research done on families with a child with autism has focused on the relationship between the mother and the child and only a very low percentage have assessed the relationship between father-child relationships. This suggests that a study on fathers is important to better understand family functioning. As suggested in the current study a well-functioning family has a good balance of cohesion and adaptability (
As a teacher who works in a school for children with autism, I have seen first hand how the families are affected by the disability of their child. The parents in my school have shown tremendous strength and support for their children, contributing positively to their quality of life. They come into school and learn how to work with their child, have continuous contact with the teacher, and tremendously help the school with fundraising efforts. I have been lucky enough to see the positive effects that parent support can have on a child with autism, but I am sure that there are many cases that are opposite of this. Having a child with autism does put a great strain on all family members, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Scientifically, autism and autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, are commonly used names for difficult disorders that have to do with brain development. Disorders like these are grouped by someone’s difficulty in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communication. To the people who are diagnosed with this disorder and the families it affects; it is so much more than just science.
In being a reliable fixture in their child's life, the parent creates a sense of safety for their child. The anecdote recounted above is that of real mother who strives to create a sense of predictability for her daughter after a day of fluctuations. She has witnessed her daughter anchoring herself to that which remains consistent and has adjusted pieces of her life so the child could feel a sense of predictability amidst a day of fluctuation. Sacrifice is a quintessential aspect of parenting any child, however, with an autistic child, the level of sacrifice is ultimately more demanding. In many cases the child will never be completely independent: the role that a parent plays in looking after their child will extend well into the child’s adult years.